Search

We aimed to assess the effects of an 8-week, online high-intensity interval training (HIIT) program on the parameters related to the anaerobic threshold (AT), body weight, and body composition in pregnant women. A total of 69 Caucasian women with an uncomplicated singleton pregnancy (age: 31 ± 4 years; gestational age: 22 ± 5 weeks; mean ± standard deviation) were randomly allocated to either an 8-week HIIT program (HIIT group) or to a comparative 8-week educational program (EDU group). Our most important finding was that even with the 8-week progression of pregnancy and physiological weight gain, the HIIT group maintained the same level of parameters related to AT: volume of oxygen at the AT (VO2/AT), percentage of maximal oxygen uptake at the AT (%VO2max/AT), and heart rate at the AT (HR/AT). In contrast, in the EDU group we observed a substantial deterioration of parameters related to the AT. The HIIT intervention substantially reduced the fat mass percentage (median: 30 to 28%; p < 0.01) and improved the total fat-free mass percentage (median: 70% to 72%; p < 0.01). In the EDU group, the body composition did not change significantly. An online, supervised HIIT program may be used to prevent the pregnancy-related risk of excessive weight gain and reduction in exercise capacity without yielding adverse obstetric or neonatal outcomes.

Objective: To perform a systematic review of the current literature on studies related to fatigue in children with JIA. We studied the measurements that were used to assess fatigue and we focused on three outcome measurements, namely, (1) the prevalence of fatigue in JIA patients, (2) the determinants of and associations with fatigue in JIA patients, and (3) the impact of fatigue in JIA patients on daily life. Methods: A search was conducted in the electronic databases Pubmed and Embase from January I, 2000 until August 27, 2015. The quality in prognostic factors (QUIPS) tool was used to assess the risk of bias (ROB) in the selected studies, focused on the outcome fatigue. Of all, two authors independently judged the ROB. Results: A total of 15 studies were included in this review. To assess fatigue, two unidimensional and three multidimensional scales were used, which hampered comparison. Fatigue was reported to be present in 60-76% of the patients with JIA and was related to time of day, disease activity, pain, psychosocial factors, and sleep. Minor consequences for daily life were found, though this was not studied extensively. Conclusion: Fatigue is common in patients with JIA. The cause reflects a complex interplay of different factors. Based on results from this review and its body of knowledge, a conceptual model for fatigue in patients with JIA is proposed. Consensus is needed for future studies on how to assess fatigue. We promote the use of a combination of unidimensional and validated multidimensional measurements. (C) 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Objective: Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) may cause functional impairment and reduced time engaged in physical activity. The aim of this study was to investigate the habits of patients with JIA regarding participation in club sports, leisure-time physical activity, and school-educational physical activity and relate this to objectively measured physical activity using accelerometry and to compare the findings with those in healthy controls. Methods: Consecutive patients from the Aarhus University Hospital outpatient clinic were included. Clinical characteristics, functional ability, and exploration of specific habits in club sports, leisure-time physical activity, and school-educational physical activity (based on a standardized questionnaire) in patients were recorded and compared with those in healthy controls. The intensity and frequency of physical activity were measured by accelerometer monitoring, using ActiGraph GT1M. Results: Sixty-eight patients with JIA and 118 healthy control subjects were included. Despite having low disease activity, children with JIA had significantly lower accelerometry-monitored physical activity levels compared with healthy controls. The distribution of specific club sport activities was the same among patients and controls. However, the proportion of patients spending >3 hours/week participating in club sports was significantly lower than the proportion of controls, whereas no difference in time spent engaging in physical activity during leisure-time was observed. Participation in compulsory school-educational physical activity was equally high in patients and controls, although participation by patients was significantly less consistent than that by controls. Patient reports of time spent with club sport and leisure-time physical activity was significantly related to accelerometry measures, whereas this was not observed for school-educational physical activity. Conclusion: The results of this study indicate the need for structured guidance for all patients with JIA (including those with minimal disease activity) in both understanding and coping with the consequences of a low level of physical activity.

Background: Fatigue is common in patients with JIA and affects daily life negatively. We assessed the presence and severity of fatigue in patients with JIA, including factors presumed associated with fatigue (e.g., disease activity, disability, pain, physical activity, exercise capacity, and self-efficacy), and whether fatigue is related to participation in physical education classes, school attendance, and sports frequency. Methods: The current study used baseline data of 80 patients with JIA (age 8-13) who participated in an intervention aimed at promoting physical activity. Primary outcome measurements were fatigue, assessed using the Pediatric-Quality-of-Life-Inventory (PedsQl)-Fatigue-scale and energy level assessed using a VAS scale. Other outcome measurements were disease activity (VAS Physician Global Assessment Scale), disability (Childhood Health Assessment Questionnaire), physical activity (accelerometer), exercise capacity (Bruce treadmill test), self-efficacy (Childhood Arthritis Self-Efficacy Scale), and participation (self-report). Results: Sixty percent of patients with JIA suffered from daily low-energy levels; 27% suffered from very low-energy levels more than half the week. Low energy levels were best predicted by disability and low physical activity. Fatigue measured with the PEDsQL was higher compared to the control-population. Disability and low self-efficacy were main predictors of fatigue. Self-efficacy was a predictor of fatigue but did not act as moderator. Fatigue was a predictor for sports frequency but not for school attendance. Conclusion: Fatigue is a significant problem for JIA patients. Interventions aimed at reducing perceived disability, stimulating physical activity, and enhancing self-efficacy might reduce fatigue and thereby enhance participation. Trial registration: Trial number ISRCTN92733069

Purpose: Patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) are less physically active than healthy peers. Therefore we developed an internet-based intervention to improve physical activity (PA). The aim of the study was to examine the effectiveness of the program in improving PA. Relevance: Evidence is accumulating that PA is effective in the primary and secondary prevention of several chronic conditions. PA is also associated with a reduction in all-cause mortality. There is evidence that in youth aged 6-16 years, PA controls body weight, reduces blood pressure in hypertensive youth, improves aerobic capacity, muscular strength, endurance and skeletal health, reduces anxiety and depression and improves self concept. PA also has a positive effect on academic performance, concentration, memory and classroom behavior. For children with JIA and other chronic diseases it is recognized that they could take advantage of the same health benefits. Participants: All patients with JIA, registered in the University Medical Center Groningen, the Netherlands and aged 8-12 years, were selected for this study. Inclusion criteria were a diagnosis of JIA, a good comprehension of the Dutch language and the availability of a home-based computer with an internet connection. Methods: PA was determined by activity-related energy expenditure (AEE), PA level, time spent on moderate to vigorous PA and the number of days with 1 hour or more of moderate to vigorous PAand was assessed with a 7-day activity diary. Aerobic exercise capacity was assessed by means of a Bruce treadmill test and recorded as maximum endurance time. Disease activity was assessed by using the JIA core set. Adherence was electronically monitored. Analysis: Descriptive statistics were used for patient's characteristics. The Kolmogorov-Smirnov test was used to test variables for normality of distribution. Paired samples t-test was used for within group differences. Results: Out of 59 patients 33 eligible patients were included and randomized in an intervention (n = 17, mean±SD age 10.6±1.5 years) and control waiting list group (n = 16, mean±SD age 10.8±1.4 years). All patients completed baseline and t = 1 testing. PA significantly improved in both groups. Maximum endurance time significantly improved in the intervention but not in the control group. In a subgroup analysis for patients with low PA (intervention n = 7 and control n = 5), PA improved in the intervention but not in the control group. The intervention was safe, feasible and showed a good adherence. Conclusions: An internet-based program for children with JIA, aged 8-12 years, directed at promoting PA in daily life, effectively improves PA in those patients with low PA levels. It can also improve endurance while it is safe, feasible and has a good adherence. Implications: PA in JIA can be improved through internet based interventions. Similar programs can be developed for other chronic conditions.

Background Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is a chronic rheumatic disease. Patients suffer daily discomforts such as pain, fatigue, stiffness, and mood disturbances. Their exercise capacity is decreased to a variable degree and physical activity levels may be impaired. To prevent long-term cardiovascular risks associated with JIA and medication, it is important to encourage physical activity. To achieve this we developed Rheumates@Work (R@W), a combined internet-based and in person instruction model, an interactive, educational, and cognitive behavioral program. The aim of this study is twofold: to describe the theoretical background and design of R@W based on Pender’s Health Promotion Model, and to assess its acceptance. Methods We enrolled 8 to 13-year-old JIA patients, from 3 outpatients clinics in The Netherlands, in R@W. Inclusion criteria were a low disease activity (VAS physician

Background: Self assessment of arthritis is important for recognition of disease activity and early initiation of therapy. Proper interpretation of physical symptoms is necessary for this. The purpose was to investigate the assessment by patients and parents of disease activity in juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) and to compare their assessments to rheumatologists' assessments.Methods: Patients and parents assessed 69 joints on a paper homunculus and marked each joint with a different color according to presumed presence of disease: active disease (AD), doubt, and non-active disease (NAD). Their assessments were compared to the rheumatologists' assessments. If patients and/or parents marked an inflamed joint, it counted as AD. Pain, functional impairment, and disease duration were analyzed to differentiate more precise between true and false positive and true and false negative assessments.Results: We collected assessments of 113 patients and/or parents. AD was assessed 54 times, 33 of which were true positives. NAD was assessed 23 times, 22 of which were true negatives. Doubt was expressed 36 times, 9 of which were assessed by the rheumatologist as AD. Sensitivity and specificity of AD was 0.77 and 0.31. Pain and functional impairment scored highest in AD, intermediate in doubt, and lowest in NAD.Conclusion: Patients and/or parents seldom missed arthritis but frequently overestimated disease activity. Pain, functional impairment, disease duration, gender, and age did not differentiate between true and false positives for. Patients perceived JIA as active if they experienced pain and functional impairment. To reduce overestimation of the presence of AD we need to improve their understanding of disease activity by teaching them to distinguish between primary symptoms of JIA and symptoms like pain and functional impairment.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the aerobic and anaerobic exercise capacity in adolescents with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) compared with age- and sex-matched healthy individuals, and to assess associations between disease-related variables and aerobic and anaerobic exercise capacity.METHODS: Of 25 patients enrolled in a JIA transition outpatient clinic, 22 patients with JIA were included in this study (mean +/- SD age 17.1 +/- 0.7 years, range 16-18 years). Aerobic capacity was examined using a Symptom Limited Bicycle Ergometry test. Anaerobic capacity was assessed with the Wingate Anaerobic Test. Functional ability was assessed with the Childhood Health Assessment Questionnaire. Pain and overall well-being were measured using a visual analog scale. Disease duration and disease activity were also assessed.RESULTS: Absolute and relative maximal oxygen consumption in the JIA group were significantly impaired (85% and 83% for boys, respectively; 81% and 78% for girls, respectively) compared with healthy controls. Mean power was also significantly impaired (88% for boys and 74% for girls), whereas peak power was significantly impaired for girls and just failed significance for boys (67% for girls and 92% for boys). A post hoc analysis correcting for underweight and overweight demonstrated that body composition did not influence the results substantially.CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that adolescents with JIA have an impaired aerobic and anaerobic exercise capacity compared with healthy age- and sex-matched peers. The likely cause for this significant impairment is multifactorial and needs to be revealed to improve treatment strategies.